HELLO HELLO Friday* is here and that means you get to read another Friday debrief!
You know the drill, every week some of our glorious writers let us know what they have been reading this week. As always the full list is also available for easy browsing in our US and UK Bookshops! If you buy any of the books in our shops, not only are you actively supporting us and our work but you are also supporting independent bookstores with 10% of your purchase going directly to them at no extra cost to yourself, and all carbon emissions are offset! Good vibes all round. Now enough chat, big love and here is this week's debrief!
Somebody’s Daughter by Ashley Ford - Maggie
I’ve been following Ford’s work for years and this was one of my most anticipated reads for the entire year. It. Is. Phenomenal.
All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr - Courtney
It feels like I was the last person on the planet to have read this book and I am kicking myself that I didn't read it sooner but as Sydney plunged into a further two weeks lockdown and my birthday was essentially cancelled I was glad to have this to dive into to distract myself from the lame ass world around me.
Small Joys Of Real Life by Allee Richards - Courtney
A heartbreaking premise that doesn't match the sweet pink cover in which it is clad. I have only cracked around 20-30 pages so far but it feels like a lot of books I have enjoyed in the last years (e.g. Kokomo by Victoria Hannan & Poly by Paul Dalgarno — very Melbourne) but also feels vastly unique in it's own way. I am excited to read further and see what this novel holds.
Pre-order available to Australians only at the moment!
One of the Good Ones by Maika Moulite & Maritza Moulite — Mel
It’s easy to see just a couple chapters in that this is going to be a tough and necessary read. One of the main characters’ sisters has just died following an arrest at a rally for social justice. The irony of the manner of her death weighs heavy on the pages leading up to her last days as her own voice joins in the narration, outlining her love of history, the civil rights movement especially.
Buy it from our Bookshops - US.
What Comes After by Joanne Tompkins - Melissa
I'm truly not sure what to expect from this one, but I'm very intrigued by the voice of each narrator so far. Since I have no clue where it's headed, I'm just excited for the ride!
Buy it from our Bookshops - US.
Cool for the Summer by Dahlia Adler - Lauren
I am currently 1/3 into this YA novel, and honestly I’m just so glad there is more diversity in YA now than when I was a teen. I am loving the dual timeline and the cast of teens trying to live their best senior year. Can’t wait to see what happens!
Buy it from our Bookshops - US.
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart - Nikki
Instantly absorbing and heartbreaking on a whole bunch of levels. This book is incredible.
Don't Call It A Cult by Sarah Berman - Cat
This is a fascinating deep dive into Keith Raniere and NXIVM, a cult and multi-level marketing scheme masquerading as a 'self-help' coaching business. While there have been a couple of recent podcast and TV series about NXIVM, none go into as much detail as this book. Journalist Sarah Berman has clearly done a huge amount of research and has skillfully woven it together to form a compelling narrative.
Buy it from our Bookshops - US.
Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney - Jessica Maria
I've already taken copious notes for an eventual review on this one; it would seem Rooney has so much to say, but she would never want you to think that her characters represent her in any way. But what to do when one character is an author of novels herself?
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